Publisher's Synopsis
A "rolling calf" is a ghost that often appears in the form of an animal. Most people who had close encounters reported that they first heard or detected the rolling calves by their loud chiming and rather unnerving clanking noise. This familiar sound was made by the long chain that they dragged along behind them. They have large red eyes like a dragon's. Some even said that they could breathe fire through their mouths. Some said that the rolling calves were the spirits of evil butchers who had been cruel and mean when they were alive. The best way, they said, to get away from these monstrous beasts was to drop various things on the ground. This story was written in an exciting island-style manner. It is about Essie's kids spending their summer vacation on the island of Jamaica and about their second scary and unusual encounter with a rolling calf. This is number two of a five part series. This story may be extended out to a very wide audience from ages 6 all the way up to their mid-teens and beyond. These books all have another unique feature. There is a drawing/note pad at the end of each book that allows the reader to draw or demonstrate their own personal illustration of the story after completing the book. Finally, these books also end uniquely always with a strong moral story. EXCERPT 1; Karl's heart skipped a beat. He was frightened and completely terrified. His feet felt weak and his knees were shaking like a massaging chair. He knew what was happening, but this time he promised himself that he would not run. He tried his best not to be afraid. He remembered what his mother said to him. "Rolling calves simply are not real." He recalled it clearly in his head. EXCERPT 2; Karl's heart stopped for a minute or two. He was shocked. He could feel the warm liquid dripping down his legs as it made a stream of puddle around his feet. This could not be happening. He was in a one-on-one situation with a real rolling calf. He could not believe his ears. He could not believe his eyes. As a matter of a fact, he could not believe any of his five senses anymore. The only thing Karl could believe in was his feet. He turned around and took off for his dear life. He ran so fast that he was striding at top speed when it dawned on him that he had passed his house long before and was now heading to no man's land. Clarion Review JUVENILE FICTION Mystery stories for kids have changed dramatically in the last few decades. Characters like Encyclopedia Brown and The Boxcar Children have been replaced by wizards, vampires, werewolves, and zombies. Innocent sleuthing of creepy houses has been replaced by elaborate battles with powerful supernatural figures. That's what makes a ghost series like Essie's Kids & The Rolling Calf stand apart from other children's series. Husband and wife authors Luke Brown and Berthalicia Fonseca-Brown have created a collection of books that lets kids be ... well ... kids facing ghostly circumstances. Katerie Prior.
